Retractable roof for the Centre Court

[Worldlife]

What are the main reasons for not installing a retractable roof over Centre Court. (Provided it is not designed by those responsible for the Millenium Bridge or Dome!!)

Seems an antiquated concept to allow rain to interfere with serious television viewing.

Considering the lost working hours to the Country resulting from having the final on a Monday a roof could be a valuable national investment.

[S-J]

I have to say I did wonder why something like that wasn't done when they did that massive re-fit/re-build!

I can only assume that this is Wimbledon...one tussles with the rain as it is tradition

On the other hand, the fact that it was a 'public day' yesterday made a HUGE difference to the atmosphere on centre court for the Gentlemen's Final. They were real people and roared like real people throughout...it isn't like that normally when 'some' pay hundreds/thousands for a ticket. Good to see...

[oldboy2001]

That's it Worldlife do all those little men in green who rush on to pull over the covers when it rains, out of a job.

You'll be wanting automated computerised Ball Boys & Girls next

[MegaTsunami]

The problems with roofs over sports stadiums etc are all down to sunlight, simple as that !

Even a retractable roof blocks off more of the light than one without a roof (imagine a normal football ground).

It really does effect grass / pitch / turf growth.

I'm sure I don't need a scientist to explain further.... ?

[Worldlife]

Haven't they made a start with a serving android called "Goran"?

The rules of table tennis have been changed recently to make the game more acceptable for television and the public by increasing the ball diameter from 38 mm to 40 mm. This slows the game a little and results in longer rallies and the ball is more visible to the audience.

Do you tennis fans enjoy a game of "aces" or should the equipment be modified to create a game in which rallies and tactics predominate?

[Worldlife]

Mega... we crossed postings in the ether

Taking your point about sunlight obstruction surely if this were a problem it could be dealt with by artificial lighting. Maybe such lighting could also be used also to enhance conditions for players when there is failing daylight.

I would have felt that grass on natural soil would grow easier under 'glass' than the fruit and salad items that are now produced in greenhouses in a soil free environment.

Maybe the footballers could tell us how astro-turf compares with the real grass. It seems to me there is not much grass left around the heavily used tennis court areas after intensive competition use. I suppose astro-turf would give a constant playing surface compared with the mixture of bare earth and grass seen at Wimbledon!

Hell's bells I can now see why the 'traditionists' feel a bad weather retractable roof could be the end of a open air court and the beginning of an era of a semi-artificial environment for the comfort and convenience of both players and audience

[oldboy2001]

I think they should make it a sport again, it's all about big money these days the same as football.